The Village School Bluebird
October/November 2020
Fall Greetings
As we prepare for the start of our Hybrid Model of Instruction, we would like to thank all of you for your support, flexibility and positive feedback during virtual learning.
Getting to know your children and all that makes them unique and special has been wonderful for our VES team of educators. In addition to learning about one another, students also learned about Hispanic Heritage and Disabilities Awareness. Blazer the Bluebird, Mrs. Leimbacher and our phenomenal 4th grade newscasters also shared really cool technology tips on our Morning News program which helps us start the day feeling informed and connected!
The hard work of our entire community is paying off and we look forward to that continuing as we begin our Hybrid Model on Monday.
Our Open House was a great success thanks to our PTA volunteers, office secretaries and all of the students who successfully navigated the halls to find their classrooms and learn our building. Thank you, families for bringing joy and smiles to our school and for making merchandise purchases to support our school and upcoming spirit days!
Please review this issue for important information to get you started next week. Remember to stay informed by reading all school and district communications and staying tuned to the VES website. You will find links to our Montgomery Elementary School PTA and our Montgomery Special Education PTA there as well.
We are excited and look forward to another successful beginning!
Ms. Susan Lacy
VES Principal
Classroom and Safety Supply Reminders
Hybrid/In-Person Supplies:
If your child will be coming to school for hybrid/in-person learning please take note of the following required school supplies:
- Three masks: one to wear each day; one for the classroom (in a Ziplock bag with child's name on it), one to keep in the backpack (in a Ziplock bag with child's name on it). Masks must: fit snugly but comfortably against the sides of the face; completely cover the nose and mouth; be secured with ties or ear loops, or gaiter neck style; include multiple layers of fabric; allow for breathing without restriction; be washed and machine dried without damage or change to shape, not include vents/valves
- Mask lanyards (If you don't have one we will provide one for your child)
- Labeled beach towel to be laundered and returned each day
- Charged Chromebook and sleeve/cover (11.6x13)
- Headphones or earbuds with a mic and 3.5 mm jack (in a Ziplock bag with child's name on it)
- Healthy nut-free snack and water bottle. According to district regulations (5531), all classrooms will be nut-free and no students or staff will share food.
- Personal pack of tissues
- Hand wipes for snack time
- Small bottle of hand sanitizer
- Writing Notebooks/Folders
- Book Baggies
General Supplies for All Hybrid and Virtual Students
Click here to find the general grade level supply lists that were shared in the spring and summer. There you will also find the following:
- Suggested Related Arts Supplies that will be helpful for virtual Music, Art and PE
- Teacher welcome letters also included additional items requested by your teacher.
Daily Student COVID Screening Form
We are asking all of our families to assist us in keeping our students and staff safe and healthy as we transition back to in-person instruction. The daily monitoring of signs and symptoms of COVID-19 is of the utmost importance.
Parents/Guardians must complete a form for each child every morning, even if the child is participating virtually.
- The COVID-19 Student Daily Screening Form is available now to view in Genesis under “Forms”.
- Parents/Guardians will receive a daily text message and email reminder each morning to complete the form.
- We are requiring a COVID-19 Daily Screening Form for all students, fully virtual, hybrid, and in-person, due to circumstances such as participation in sports, clubs, testing, and activities.
- The form must be completed prior to your child reporting to a school building.
In the event that a COVID-19 Student Daily Screening Form is not completed, students will be removed from their first-period class and brought to a designated area until such time they can be screened by the nursing staff.
- On the first occurrence, parents/guardians will be contacted and asked to complete the necessary form.
- On subsequent occasions, parents will be asked to pick their child up from school.
- Please be sure your contact information is up to date in Genesis.
There may be occasions when your child is not feeling well but is still able to participate in virtual instruction. We highly encourage families to be overcautious regarding symptoms and illness during the in person school days. Students can attend virtually even on a day they were scheduled to be in school. Your child's attendance will be marked as “present virtual”.
Parent/Guardian Drop Off and Pick Up
Please see the map below!
Before School Drop Off (9:20-9:30): If you need to drive your child to school, please use the driveway on the right side of the school to travel to the rear entrances. This entrance will be open from 9:20 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Please do not drop your child off early as the doors will be locked until 9:20, and there is no supervision. Upon arriving at the rear of the school please follow the guidelines below.
Travel as far forward as possible along the sidewalk on your left.
Have your child ready to exit the car when you reach the sidewalk.
Stop your vehicle next to the school sidewalk.
Your child may exit on his or her own on the driver’s side of the car, along any part of the sidewalk. Children are not permitted to exit from the passenger side without assistance from an adult.
Two doors will be open and supervised by our staff for your child’s convenience and to assist with the flow of traffic.
Please remain in the line of cars in front of you and wait for traffic to move. Do not dart around any cars to avoid colliding with those exiting at the front of the line. Should you need to pass another car to exit, please do so with extreme caution!
DO NOT park in the Fire Lane for any reason.
Continue to follow the roadway back to Main Blvd.
Please do not drop students off in the front of Village School at any time, except for before school programs (which are not scheduled at this time). After 9:30 a.m., park in our front visitors’ lot and walk your child to the main entrance. Ring the buzzer and a secretary will assist you and sign your child in.
Late or Midday Drop off/Pickup: If you need to drop off or pickup your child between the hours of 9:30 and 1:15, please park in our visitors parking lot in the front of VES and come to the main front entrance. Parking is not permitted in the front driveway as it is a bus driveway only. After 9:30 a.m., please walk your child to the main entrance. Ring the buzzer and a secretary will assist you. You must submit a request in writing in advance if a late arrival or early pick up is planned. (BOE Policy 5230)
After School Pickup (1:30): Please send a note to your child’s teacher if you plan on picking up your child in the afternoons. Include in the note, the name of the person picking up your child. Teachers will send their students to the parent pickup waiting area in the cafeteria with their pick up note. Without a note, children will be sent to their buses.
Use the driveway on the right side of the school to travel to the rear entrance of the building and follow the instructions below:
On the first day, please have your ID (valid driver's license) and a sign displayed on the driver's side that includes: your child's name, teacher's name and the name of the parent/person picking up your child.
We will provide 3 signs for you to use on subsequent days for each parent/guardian and emergency contacts. Circle one name per form indicating who the pick up person is. If someone not listed on the sign is picking up your child, please notify the school and add that person's name to one of your copies.
Please have these signs and your ID ready to display on the driver's to help us expedite the pick up process.
Travel as far forward as possible along the sidewalk on your left.
Stop your vehicle next to the school sidewalk.
Staff members will call for your child and sign him/her out for you using a preapproved parent/guardian pickup checklist.
Children will enter your vehicle on the driver's side only.
Please remain in the line of cars in front of you and wait for traffic to move. Do not dart around any cars to avoid colliding with those exiting at the front of the line. Should you need to pass another car to exit, please do so with extreme caution!
Continue to follow the roadway back to Main Blvd.
Change in Student Dismissal Plans
Changes in regular dismissal and parent pick up require a dated note from the parent or guardian to the classroom teacher at the beginning of the day.
Midday and end of day dismissal changes and pickup requests can be disruptive to instruction as dismissal information is confirmed early in the day.
If you need to make a change in your child’s dismissal plan during the day, please call the main office at 609-466-7606 before 12:15 pm. Communicating changes to the main office instead of the classroom teacher helps to ensure an organized and safe dismissal. Additionally, please contact your after school child care organization.
Any changes in dismissal plans received after 12:15 pm cannot be honored.
The main entrance will be inaccessible for parent pick-up between 1:15 and 1:30 p.m.
Your assistance in following these guidelines will help us and help you, keep all children and visitors safe. Thank you for your cooperation!
Expectations for a Safe Bus Ride
Riding the bus is a privilege and students are expected to abide by the following expectations for a safe bus ride:
- Be safe while waiting for and getting on and off the bus
- Wait for the bus to stop completely
- Walk instead of run
- Be patient and maintain 6ft of distance as you and others get on and off
- Listen to the bus driver since s/he is in charge of the bus
- Stay safe on the bus by:
- Staying in your assigned seat
- Buckling your seatbelt correctly
- Sitting correctly in your seat
- Not reaching out the window
- Treat others with respect while riding the bus
- Keep your bus clean and safe for everyone. Eating food on the bus is not allowed.
- If there is a problem on the bus it is important to let the bus driver know
- Remember that the bus driver is focused on the safety of everyone and should not be distracted while driving unless an emergency is being reported
It is preferred that all students are met by an adult at the bus stop at the end of the school day.
Please visit this link to learn more about bus transportation safety tips and expectations.
Virtual Back to School Night - October 20, 2020
Third Grade 6:00 p.m.
Related Arts 6:30-7:00
Fourth Grade 7:00 p.m.
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
Week of Respect - October 26-30 - VES recognizes the importance of developing and maintaining a safe, supportive and positive school climate that encourages academic success, social/ emotional and cultural competence and is free from bullying. Our counselors and teachers will engage students in activities to support these goals.
Halloween - Please stay tuned for information regarding a virtual PTA event and more.
UNICEF Drive - Once again, Village Elementary School students will be participating in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. Students will be learning how UNICEF supports children around the world. Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is going virtual this year! Every October, the money UNICEF raises through its Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign saves countless children's lives - and we don't want them to miss out this year, when many children need it more than ever. Stay tuned for ways you and you family can support this effort!
Virtual Only School Days - November 2 -4
Schools Closed, New Jersey Teachers Convention - November 5-6
Parent Teacher Conferences - November 19-20, 23, 24
Schools Closed , Thanksgiving Recess - November 26-27